Lexicon Valley It's Been a Minute
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Sep 15, 2025 
John McWhorter, a prominent linguistics professor at Columbia University and former host, dives into the dynamics of Black English. He explores the fascinating nuances of understatement and hyperbole, shedding light on the phrase 'it's been a minute' and its cultural significance in the Black community. The conversation also delves into 'the dozens', a playful competition steeped in humor and history. With insights from pop culture, McWhorter emphasizes the importance of understanding the roots of African American English in today’s language landscape.
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Etymology Of "Minute" And Meiosis
- The word "minute" comes from Latin meaning small and originally referred to the small part of an hour.
- Related forms include "second," "minuscule," and Greek "meiosis," linking time and smallness linguistically.
Meiosis As A Rhetorical Device
- Meiosis in rhetoric means understatement, shrinking emphasis to create effect.
- "It's been a minute" is an example: it understates a long gap by calling it a minute.
Origin And Spread Of "It's Been A Minute"
- "It's been a minute" likely originated in Black English and later spread mainstream.
- The phrase compresses long durations into a lively understatement common in Black vernacular.
